Floydfest 5  Roots Alive
By: Russ Helgren 

  

Blue Ridge Mountains served as the beautiful backdrop for Floyd County Virginia’s fifth annual music, crafts and fun festival this past July 27-30. This festival has traditionally been called a world music festival because of the wide variety of performers that have graced it’s seven stages. Bands from Sweden, several African countries, South and Central America and from all over the United States have played at Floydfest.

This year’s event was called Roots Alive, with a heavy emphasis on roots music being the theme. Lots of bluegrass, newgrass, country, sacred steel, gospel, as well as reggae and afro beat filled the mountain air for four gorgeous days. The weather cooperated completely. Sunny 80 degree days and cool 60 degree nights made camping out a pure pleasure.

There were clearly too many highlights to name them all, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the one constant highlight that has made every Floydfest a big hit. The Vibe. These folks absolutely create a bit of heaven right here in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mtns. The people are so friendly, the place is so clean and the surroundings are so majestic that you can’t help but have a great time. I don’t care who’s playing on what stage each year, I know I will have a fantastic time because the music is always good and the vibe is always pure.

The festival opened on Thursday evening this year with another outstanding performance by Railroad Earth. A band that never disappoints. Great musicianship and always an upbeat message. Rumor has it that they will be playing at The Jewish Mother in the near future. Don’t miss them. Friday through Sunday was filled with an array of regional music (several bands from Charlottesville) and several national and/or international acts. Devon Sproule (whom I first saw at The Jew Mo when she was 16 and promoting her first album in 1999) and American Dumpster were two of my favorites from Charlottesville. Devon has clearly come a long way. She was always a fine songwriter, but her guitar playing and singing have matured noticeably. American Dumpster was a sonic bids winner and deservedly so. They put on a terrific show on Saturday afternoon. Saturday also featured Donna The Buffalo, (a Floydfest regular)The Avett Brothers, Akoya Afrobeat, Adrienne Young, Toubab Krewe and Los Lobos to name just a few. I loved them all with the notable exception of Los Lobos. The supposed headliner just didn’t seem to fit. They didn’t look like they were having fun. They were the only folks, including performers, vendors, volunteers and festival goers, who didn’t look they were having fun.

Friday’s highlight was the Cyro Baptista and Beat the Donkey show. And I do mean Show! Part rhythm extravaganza, part rock and roll and part circus performance, this seven piece ensemble had the joint jumpin’. Garaj Mahal and Gabby La La were two other Friday notables.

Sunday, another gorgeous day, featured old bluesy folkie David Bromberg with two separate performances. First on the intimate workshop porch, and secondly, the show closing performance on the main stage, where he did a rousing rendition of “Sharon”. Earlier in the day Iris Dement had the crowd’s rapt attention with her offbeat humor and unique song writing all delivered with her down home singing style. Both the Campbell Brothers and The Lee Boys rocked the Dance Tent. Foot stompin’, hand clappin’, hootin’ and a hollerin’ good times. In fact, the dance tent was my favorite of the seven venues. Not because I like to dance, but because the vibe was just electric at that place. They’re gonna have to bring a bigger tent next year because there were overflow crowds day after day at the dance tent. Which brings me to my personal favorite show of the weekend. On Saturday afternoon members of Donna the Buffalo joined Balfa Toujours for a non stop rockin’ Zydeco performance that I wished would never end. But alas, it had to end. But there was more to come, and there will be more to come next year at Floydfest 6. 

Peace, Russ Helgren

Visit Russ Helgren’s website at www.russhelgren.com

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